Batting

FITCHBURG, Mass. – With at least one run in every inning but one and a combined 14 hits baseball (7-5) got back on the winning track as they handed Fitchburg State University (2-11) a 10-3 loss Tuesday afternoon at Riccards Field.

Mark McCormack (Shelton, Conn.) and Jamill Moquette (Boston, Mass.) fueled the Beacons the win as the two combined for six hits in 10 trips to the plate. The duo also drove in two runs and accounted seven of the 10 runs scored. McCormack notched his third double of the season, while Moquette recorded two doubles. As a team UMass continued their aggressive running on the base paths as they tallied a season-high seven stolen bases, with three of those going to junior Nick Grassetti (Agawam, Mass.).

On top of the Beacons bats completely dominating Tuesday's contest the Beacons pitching staff was just as solid. Led by Tom Cole's (Mattapoisett, Mass.) five strong innings as well as a solid relief appearance from Gabe May (Portsmouth, N.H.) and Greg Dubela (Stratham, N.H.) UMass neutralized the Falcons for all nine innings. Through the first five innings, Cole allowed five hits and retired four batters, while only walking two. May came in and for three innings allowed just one hit while fanning three batters. Dubela closed out the ninth and allowed just one hit in his outing.

With the win, Cole improved to 2-1 on the season. Through 100 complete innings the Beacons bullpen is currently carrying a 3.06 ERA and have combined for 61 strikeouts.

Of the seven hits recorded by Fitchburg State, two belonged to shortstop AJ Silberman as he went 2-for-4 with two of the Falcons three RBI. Center fielder Chris Rivera drove in the only other run for Fitchburg State as he went 1-for-4.

After a one run first inning for both teams, UMass began expanding their lead in the second as they put-up two runs to make it 3-1. They would add one more run in the third and two more in fourth to make it a three-run ball game (6-3). Following a scoreless fifth inning the Beacons tacked on three more runs in the sixth and seventh frames to keep the momentum going. Their final run came in the top of the ninth securing the non-conference victory.

Baseball returns to action tomorrow when they travel to Saint Joseph's College (Me.) for a 3:30 p.m. non-conference game.